idle

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. lazy or not willing to work.

adj. habitually avoiding work or exertion; lazy or slothful in character.

“He was an idle student who preferred playing games to doing his homework.”

“The manager warned that idle employees would not be considered for the year-end performance bonuses.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

adj. having no real purpose or value; silly.

adj. lacking substance, utility, or a serious basis; often used to describe talk, threats, or curiosity.

“She didn't want to waste time on idle gossip about her neighbours.”

“The diplomat dismissed the rumours as idle speculation, insisting that no formal agreement had been reached.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. when an engine runs slowly while the vehicle or machine is not moving.

v. to run at a low speed or out of gear; describing an internal combustion engine ticking over without performing work.

“The taxi driver let the car idle while he waited for the passenger to come outside.”

“Modern vehicles are often designed to shut off automatically rather than idle at traffic lights to improve fuel efficiency.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to spend time doing nothing or being lazy.

v. to spend time in an inactive or lazy manner; often used with 'away' when transitive.

“They idled away the afternoon sitting by the river and talking.”

“He spent his inheritance idling away his youth in expensive resorts instead of pursuing a career.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technology Technical

n. the state of an engine when it is running but not moving.

n. the lowest power setting or speed at which an engine can run steadily.

“The mechanic adjusted the idle because the car kept stalling at red lights.”

“The pilot reduced the engines to idle as the aircraft began its final descent toward the runway.”